Transcript

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>> The president of the United States treating the search for his next National Security Adviser like an episode of The Apprentice. On Friday, Donald Trump tweeting, General Keith Kellogg, is, quote, very much in play, as are three others. Kellogg is a retired general who briefly served as the Chief of Staff for Trump's National Security Council.

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Reuters National Security Correspondent, Warren Strobel.>> It's a really important position. It's the position, the person who coordinates the entire national security apparatus for the President to ensure that options for difficult foreign policy problems are brought to him. And everybody in the inter-agency process gets a voice, so it's a crucial position.

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It's just unheard of to have it open and being sort of publicly fought over like this.>> The top level position still vacant after Trump fired Michael Flynn from the post this week. Flynn was embroiled in scandal due to phone calls he made with Russian officials, where he discussed sanctions, calls that were intercepted by US intelligence.

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The Washington Post reporting Thursday Flynn denied discussing sanctions when the FBI investigated the matter. Lying to the FBI is a felony. Trump, on Thursday, saying the decision to dismiss Flynn was made easier because he had a strong replacement in mind.>> I have somebody that I think will be outstanding for the position, and that also helps, I think, in the making of my decision.

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>> But that replacement didn't work out. Retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward turning down the offer later that day. Harward is a retired Navy SEAL with over 40 years of military experience, and is a top executive at aerospace and arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin. But sources telling Reuters that Harward wanted the freedom to appoint his own team to help him with the job.

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That put him at odds with Trump. A White House official saying Harward declined because of family and financial considerations.